Official 2006 Mikhnov & But Watch

After the long wait for these two Ukrainian stud prospects, they have finally signed (or will be signing) with their respective teams and in short time we should be seeing them finally in NHL arenas.

How does everyone think they'll do? Personally I think Mikhnov might work well with Schremp (hunch or hopes maybe) and But will be a sleeper this year. It'll definately be fun to see him and Fedotenko together!

thoughts?

I'm excited to see Alexei Mikhnov, that's for sure. The guy is huge.

As for Anton But, I didn't know he signed with TB. Don't expect him to make much or any of an impact, infact he might just get fed up and go back to Lokomotiv.

Hey, Oilers fan here.

Do you guys have any link or source for Mikhnov's signing?

Thanks. :)

is this even the right Mikhnov? I know Alexei's brother plays for the Ukraine. Alexei plays for Russia.

:dunno:

But please, if you have a like showing Alexei being signed, I'd love to see it. As an Oiler fan, I want him over next year for sure.

There are two Mikhknov's. Alexei who plays for the Russian national team, and Andrei Mikhnov who plays for the Ukrainian national team.

I guess we're discussing Alexei here because he was born in Ukraine..

There are two Mikhknov's. Alexei who plays for the Russian national team, and Andrei Mikhnov who plays for the Ukrainian national team.

I guess we're discussing Alexei here because he was born in Ukraine..

That made it more confusing... :help:

If he was born in Ukraine, wouldn't it be Andrei we're discussing here? :dunno:

That made it more confusing... :help:

If he was born in Ukraine, wouldn't it be Andrei we're discussing here? :dunno:



Both are born in Ukraine, but one plays for Russia because they harvest the best players from all Eastern Europe regardless of country of origin. The IIHF doesn't really care either.

and yes, we're talking about Alexei. He hasn't signed yet, but its very likely. When the IIHF transfer agreement comes he'll be signed by the Oilers very quickly. I edited my original post as I've read some conflicting reports out of Russia and I was under the impression the deal was done.

Both are born in Ukraine, but one plays for Russia because they harvest the best players from all Eastern Europe regardless of country of origin. The IIHF doesn't really care either.

Well, mostly Ukraine and Kazakhstan, and in this case, mostly Ukraine, since there hadn't been a traditionally world-class environment in this country, sadly. Hope things turn for the better, I mean I'd much rather see Tverdovsky, Zherdev, Mikhnov all play for Ukraine and get the country into Olympics, maybe. For now, though, it is logical to see them lace 'em up for Russia.

If we let Ukraine claim Kovalchuk, on the other hand... ;)

It's official, Alexei Mikhnov and Anton But have been released from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl to join their respected clubs in North America.

eurohockey.com

If we let Ukraine claim Kovalchuk, on the other hand... ;)

it would make for a much better competition and tournament, of course ;)

i always like having guys like kovalchuk or even the ukrainians on russia though in the end, lets me cheer for Ukraine, as well as my favorite Russian players (Malkin, Ovechkin, Gonchar, etc. I pretty much like all of us, lol) as well as be able to have a chance to win gold

honestly, I'd overlook the whole "russia harvesting players" thing if it wasnt team russia but still the Soviet team, or the ukies had little ukie flag patches on their jersey somewhere or something (same with any other eastern bloc country). i think it'd be cool at least, kinda like watching an allstar game and cheering for your teams guys.

It's official, Alexei Mikhnov and Anton But have been released from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl to join their respected clubs in North America.

eurohockey.com

:clap: YES! :clap:

Didn't But declare that he would want to play for Russia in any case ? I dont think he has been called up or will be. I dont think he finds Ukraine an enticing prospect to play for unfortunately.

First of all, I was amazed on how many Ukranian born players have Russian citizenship. So I decided to look into it. And the majority of them actually had to flee Ukraine and move to Russia in order to be able to continue their hockey careers going (that's at the age of 12-14 years or so. Since Ukraine does absolutely nothing for the kids to be able to play hockey, the whole schools (there was especially good one in Harkov) moved to Russia. So once Ukraine does something for their hockey programm that won't be happening.

Didn't But declare that he would want to play for Russia in any case ? I dont think he has been called up or will be. I dont think he finds Ukraine an enticing prospect to play for unfortunately.

He may not find Ukraine an interesting choice, however I truly, don't care about his services.

Alexei Mikhnov has 16 points in 25 games played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL.

I wonder if he's happy, after only playing 2 games in the NHL, being sent down.

I am pretty sure he's already played for Russia, and since he hasn't played in Ukraine for four years after that, he cannot even play for you guyes. He is not all that good anyways.

He's still Ukrainian, I like his untapped talent to be a big time player he just has to show it and it might take more then two NHL games.

I know that there are hardly any chances of becoming a good player staying in Ukraine, but I still don't consider these guys ukrainians and I can't think of them representing my country. They made their choice. And, perhaps, the choice is right, but call me stubborn or anything - they are not ukrainian hockey players, they are russian players and since I don't care for them...

I still consider Alexei a Ukrainian hockey player. His talent was too good for the Ukrainian team, and he "graduated" onto the Russian team. Alexei's brother Andrei, who was drafted by St.Louis before Alexei, plays for team Ukraine. He's not as good, so Russia never phoned. It was a great oppurtunity for Alexei to be seen, and to make a name for himself, by joining the Russians.

Both are born in Ukraine, but one plays for Russia because they harvest the best players from all Eastern Europe regardless of country of origin. The IIHF doesn't really care either.



Hm, I don't think much harvesting goes on at all. Guys like Mikhnov chose to come to Russia at a very young age out of their own incentive so they could become better hockey players. Mikhnov personally decided he wanted to develop in the Russian system, acquire Russian citizenship, and eventually represent Russia. In fact, the general trend is now converse to your accusations: former Soviet republics are now mass "harvesting" non elite Russian born players, as for example evidenced by Belarus' WJC team.

I know that there are hardly any chances of becoming a good player staying in Ukraine, but I still don't consider these guys ukrainians and I can't think of them representing my country. They made their choice. And, perhaps, the choice is right, but call me stubborn or anything - they are not ukrainian hockey players, they are russian players and since I don't care for them...


I find it akward how you can make this distinction, as Alexei (Ponikarovsky) has even gone on the radio saying he is Russian.....and after speaking with him once he has told me he doesn't speak any Ukrainian and only Russian, etc.

Just because a Louisiana born player plays for Team USA doesn't mean they dont have confederate grey on the inside (so to speak)

This is getting ridiculous.